Love & Cannabis

Roses are red, violets are blue, this Valentine’s Day dedication is from us to you.

Love is serendipitous, this force that humans have been chasing since the beginning of time. We hope for it, plan for it, watch for it, feel it, dance to it, write spells about it, and peer into crystal balls hoping to catch a glimpse.

Often it’s a surprise arriving when we least expect it: a “You’ve got mail” alert, an unconventional meet-cute, like when Harry met Sally, by radio during a Sleepless in Seattle night, or a friend coaching you through why he’s just not that into you.

Sometimes it’s the feeling Monica Wright described in Love & Basketball: “I’ve loved you since I was 11, and the shit won’t go away.” Or the persistent hope of Darius Lovehall in Love Jones: “You said it was bad timing. And I figured if I asked again, you’d say yes. If not that time, maybe the next time—until the next time became the right time.”

It’s the recognition that love isn’t always easy, as Noah Calhoun admits in The Notebook: “So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s gonna be really hard. And we’re gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that, because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day.” Or it’s as swift and unexpected as Savannah Curtis’s confession in Dear John: “Two weeks together, that’s all it took for me to fall in love with you.”

We can all relate. Love, like music, transcends language, culture, hemisphere, and the senses. No matter our goals, journeys, or missions, love is the sidekick. We can be focused on business, school, health, wealth-anything-and love is always with us.

To celebrate love together, we highlight the stories of 11 couples who met, fell in love, and launched businesses together. Here are their stories:

The Stories

“My husband and I fell in love as teens in Brooklyn, and our relationship grew through joy and friendship. Our bond deepened as we navigated life’s challenges, including cancer. During my recent recovery, exploring the New York market together introduced us to a community of shared values. When we couldn’t find the gentle, premium products we wanted, we decided to help bring that vision to life.” — Vanessa Cuccurullo

“We both work in the industry and share this passion, which deepens our connection. We met at a golf event and fell in love at a business conference in 2024. Our mutual roles in PR, marketing, and tech make us a true industry power couple.” — Alice Moon

“Our first date started with a shared moment, and my friend accidentally revealed I was in the business that night. We launched a company together, turning our shared passion into a career. As a queer couple, we now run one of the most popular small-batch brands on the East Coast.” — Samuel Hebert

“I met my now business partner, Juan, when I became his shop’s first employee, and we quickly became best friends. After a couple of years, we fell in love and now run a thriving business and relationship together. Our passion for building community constantly strengthens our bond. Sharing time together after work keeps us connected and inspired.” — Shelby Fountain

“We met working in NYC public schools while both navigating unhappy marriages, and found happiness together. Building our nonprofit has deepened our bond and lets us empower others to grow their own. We constantly inspire each other to grow, learn, and make a positive impact.” — Adam Goldner

“We met working at a shop, and our connection was instant, growing stronger as we worked shifts together. Sharing our work brings us closer and is a ritual of love in our lives. It’s not just our story—it’s how we connect and grow together.” — Jessica Staples

“I met Crocquito at an event in 2018 while I was trading seeds for work. When we met at his booth, our goodbye lingered—we said it five different ways—like neither of us wanted to part. My friend swore she witnessed love at first sight, and after some encouragement, I gave him my number before leaving. Minutes later, he texted, and two weeks later, I flew to see him, sparking a love story that changed everything.” — Sue Carlton-Surabian

“We met at the second week of Runners High Chicago in June 2022. We were two strangers from different parts of the city, both passionate industry professionals. I’m a mixologist and entrepreneur; she’s an accountant and yoga instructor. Our shared love for wellness brought us together. Over the years, our relationship, travels, and business partnership have flourished. Now, three and a half years later, we have a family, run a business, and lead the run club together.” — Carlos Ramos

“We met at a New Year’s Eve party in the snowy mountains near San Diego, instantly connecting over our shared interests. After bonding and dancing, we shared our first kiss at midnight and felt sparks fly. Nearly 11 years later, we’re still together, having recently married and celebrated with weddings in Santa Barbara and Oaxaca.” — Valerie Viramontes-Perez

“It started with her reaching out to me through my event page, after following my work in the LGBTQ community. Our connection deepened during virtual dates, and the first time I visited her in DC, it felt like a movie moment. She taught me new skills, and being trusted helped our relationship blossom. Our shared work brought us together, grew our love, and gave us new roots.” — Fame Neal

“I met her at a pop-up in Atlanta; she was a vendor, I was a customer, and her products were incredible. Our shared business has been a major positive in our relationship, from how we met to how we continue to bond and grow together. It’s our way to heal, connect, and share love. Classic love story, elevated.” — Vince Raysor